Hand truck



Oct. 28, 1941. c. A. BEEBOUT HAND TRUCK 2 Sheets-Sheet l Filed Dec. 29, 1939 ct. 28, 1941. Y c. A. Bl-:EBoUT v 2,260,698

' HAND TRUCK vFiled Dec. 29, 1.959 2 sheets-sheet 2 r l l l Patented Oct. 28, 1941 UNITED STATES PATENTy OFFICE y I, `2,260,698 v HAND TRUCK Carl A.`Beebout, Chicago, Ill.

Application Decemberl 29, 1939, Serial No. 311,595 I (C1. 214-654) y V 4 Claims.

This invention relates to hand trucks for' use invwarehouses and such other similar establishments where men are employed to move from location to location, crates, barrels, steel drums, bales of material and rsuch other objects usually stored in warehouses.

The principal object of my invention is the provision of a hand truck which may bemoved right up to the work' to be carried thereon, and

enable an operator toflift maximum weight with my invention, and also enable such lifting to be effected when the objects, boxes, or crates are placed closely near oneanother, or when Vthey are placed close to a wall.

Another object of my-invention is the provision of a grappling hook or holding means which may be set parallel to the axis of the truck or preferably in an angular relationship as indicated in the drawings.

, Another object of my invention is the provision of means which makes my invention adaptable to carrying bales, crates or boxes, steel drums or round wood barrels of rather heavy weight,=the relationship vof the Vparts'being so arranged as to provide a maximum mechanical advantage enabling an individual to lift as much as 800 to 1200 pounds of Weight at any one time.

Another object of my invention is the provision ofretractable toe means, which may be used whenever it is necessary to lift steel drums and objects of similar nature.

Another object of my invention is the provision of a simple, durable, practical, efficient truck, which is also of such simple construction that it may be manufactured economically in quantity I production.

Other features, objects, and advantages residing in my invention will become readily apparent by reference to the drawings and the ensuing description expounding the theory underlying-the structure and operations of my invention; Wherein like numerals are used to designate like parts and in which: Fig. 1 represents a iront elevation of my invention. y

" Fig. 2 represents a side elevation of my invention.

Fig. 3 represents a top view of my linvention or when the truck is lying down and resting on on the auxiliary foot designated by the numeral 2l. f

Fig. 4 represents a View partly in cross-section showing the mechanism used in my extensible and yretractable toe structure furnished as'an auxiliary feature of my invention.

Fig. 5 is a top view of Figure 4.

Fig. 6- is an enlarged partially sectional View showing the method whereby the grappling hook is removably and adjustably attachable to the main post or column comprising a part of my invention. A

Fig. 7 is an enlarged partially sectional View of the View shown in Figure 6.

Fig. 8 is a schematic view showing how my invention adapts itself to cradling barrels, steel drums, or crates las indicated by the dotted or phantom lines shown in that View.

Referring to Figures l, 2, and 3, wherein the -main elements of construction are clearly shown,

the numeral 9 represents, generally, my invention, which comprises a handle bar member shaped to the approximate form shown and designated by the numeral I0 having convenient n members having an arcuate portion 25.

lThe pads 35, 36, 26, and 2l are roughened having rasp or file teeth in order to grip substantially such materials as wood, libre, and other similar materials, of which boxes, crates, or barrels may be made.

The member 24 is welded on to the column I2 at a portion approximately below the central position and as indicated on the drawings within the arcuate portion 22. A further cradling member designated 28 is also riveted at a point along on the column for purposes to be later explained.

The column I2 above its middle portion has a number of posts, studs, or extensions I3 welded onto the body in the :approximate position indicated. The studs I 3 are furtherprovided with reduced extensions indicated by the numeral 44 and shoulder portions which locate denitely and iixedly in place, the reinforcing bar member I4, which may also be welded on to this construction.

The extensions 44 have riveted thereto the members I5 in order to provide sectional shoulder portions as indicated at 43. This structure is provided in order to secure removably and in a variable position the grappling hook I6.

The grappler I6 which is made of a piece of rigid material such as steel or other suitable 55 material, and is provided with the slots 42 and the twisted portion I8, so that the operating portion I1 of the said grappling hook is located or positioned at right angles to the handle member I6, .and is curved or arcuately shaped as indicated at I9 being further provided with a pad 20 having a roughened surface similar to the pads 36 and 31 The lower portion of the post or column I2 is secured to an axle member designated 3| having extensions adapted to operate in the bearings of the Wheels 29.- The wheels are preferably of a light construction, material which is either cast or stamped being secured by the rivets or bolts 64 and provided with rubber or resilient tires designated 33.

The lower portion of the body member is also provided with an angularly bent rod supporting structure 61 which is welded to the lower'brace 34 and which provides suitable anchorage for the extensible and retractable toe assembly generally designated 23. l

The extensible and retractable toes used only in certain instances, are comprised of the following structure indicated more clearly in the views Figure 4, and Figure 5. This structure comprises a sliding bar member 45 which is square or of other suitable section so that it will not rotate within the bearings 5B and 5I. It is provided with a s top made of angle iron designated 4l secured at its top and the said member I6 is positioned so as to clear the body of the operator and in no way present any annoyance to the said operator, thus providing a maximum of convenience, so that he may operate and handle the truck from a position which is centrally coincident with the center line of the truck, and hence provides the most eicient manner for operating the truck when wheeling it about or when loading. In the View, Figure 2, the ground or floor is represented `by 32, and there it is indicated in dotted position how the vtruck may be wheeled up directly to the Work when the load is in a vertical position resting on the pavement or oor, and permits the surfaces of the pads 36 and 26 to contact a case which may be so reposing on the floor.

The schematic graphical representation in Figure 8 shows how the pads 21 and 35 are primaorder to engage swivelly or articulately the pin 65 :and permit the structure to oscillate about the said pin 65. The member 5| is also provided with an angular extension 52 welded to it or otherwise secured which is adapted to receive the cotter pin 56 and hold in assembly the spring 55.

The rod is provided with a hole to receive the cotter pin 5l which holds the spring 58 mounted on the outside of the rod 45 and which is re tained by the lugs 60 of the bearing 59. The rod is exposed and arranged to slide up and down within the bearings 59 and 5I.

The lower portion of the rod 45 is provided with an angularly bent toe 6I having a rather sharp edge 62 in order to enable the toe to slide under an object Within the smallest increment of space existent between the base of the said object and the floor. The rod 45 is also provided with stop lugs 63 which may be swaged'out of the material from which the rod 45 is manufactured.

By referring to the View Figure 1 and Figure 3, the illustration showing the grapple hook I6 placed in the dotted position which is parallel to the column I2 of my invention, or in the angular position indicated in the full lines, has for its principal object the provision of such a grappling hook which will be out of the way and not interfere with the operator when handling or transporting boxes or crates at a time when the truck is used for such service.

The view, especially, Figure 3 designates suggestively and generally the torso of an operator designated 3l, and approximately indicating the position of his straddled legs designated`38, whence rily used for cradling a barrel which is of the diameter indicated by the numeral 40. The pads 26 and 36 are utilized for holdinga crate of square, rectangular, or oblong section as indicated by the numeral 4I whereas a steel drum usually of a smaller diameter, indicated by the numeral 39 :n which might damage the roughened pads 26 and thus impair their serviceability is cradled and held in place by virtue of the smaller cradle member designated 28.

A steel drum is located in place by the said cradle 28, and in this event the extensible and retractable toes are used to reach under the bottom of a steel drum to provide a rigid and firm support by virtue of the combined structure of the toes 6I and the cradle 28.

The extensible and retractable toe structures designated 23 are operated in the following manner; referring to the view Figure 4, an operator by placing the toe of his foot on the top portion of the bar 45 and depressing the same will cause the notch 46 to engage the chamfer 54 of the member 48, and thus keep the toe 5I in extended position as indicated in the view of Figure 2.

When thevsteel drum has been transported to the proper location by the operator, he will depress the rear portion 53 of the member 48 thus causing an escapement action to take place, the

it can be seen that the handle of the grapple hook notch 46 will become disengaged from the knife edge 54 whichby virtue of the spring 58 will be brought back to the normal position upward. The dotted position in Figure 4 shows the extended position of the toe 6I, the knife edge 62 being provided in order to be able to reach under the smallest possible space between the base of a steel drum and the floor upon which it may be resting.

In like manner the spring designated 55 keeps the trigger member 48 in, normally, upward position, so that it is readily engageable in the notch 46 when the member 45 is depressed or pushed downward. By virtue of the articulate action of the member 48 about the pivot 65, the engaging knife edge 54 provides suiiicient clearance for the lower angular portion of the notch 46 to become disengaged when the heel 53 is depressed.

Altho my invention is so constructed as to permit it to assume an upright position when not in use, (which the standard trucks by Virtue of their construction can not assume) yet I furnish the conventionally standard type of leg 2l so that my truck may recline also in a horizontal position should it be so preferred.

In actual use and operation, the maximum of efciency may be obtained by the use of a hand truck of my type, and as illustrated in Figure 8, various shaped objectsgmade of wood such' as crates, or of metal such as steel drums, may'con-v veniently be lifted and loaded upon my truck and conveniently transported about by one operator.

Assuming that an object is to be raised, for example a crate, a bale, or a wood barrel, the truck comprising my invention may be advanced right up to the face of the object which is to be transported thereupon.

First, the grappling hook engages the work by setting to the most convenient notch 42 and engaging the upper portion of the barrel or crate. The roughened surfaces of the pads 36, 21, and 26 will maintain a crate in position and keep it from sliding, whereas the roughened portion of the pad 20 will hold it denitely in position and in place for transporting the load.

In order to position or locate the said crate after it has been transported to another part of a building, the grappling hook is disengaged and the truck is merely moved away thus causing the roughened surfaces of the pads 26 and 36 to disengage from frictional or gripping contact.

In like manner a steel drum is placed conveniently or loaded on the truck by first advancing the truck so that the cradle 28 contacts the circular surface of the steel drum. Then by depressing the bar 45 of the extensible and retractable toes, and if necessary slightly tilting the drum, the toes are permitted to enter between the base of the drum and the floor upon which the drum is resting, whence it may be tilt- A.

ed backwards and conveniently transported. When the desired location is reached, the truck is tipped forward thus positioning the front edge of the base of the steel drum, the toes are retracted by pressing the heel portion 53 of the trigger member 48, and the truck may be moved away leaving the steel drum in its new location or position.

1 believe I have described in rather succinct terms the nature, advantages and operation of my invention, and I believe I have shown that it provides an efficiency in handling and transporting of objects to vbe moved about, by far, superior to the operation of trucks, at present, sold on the market.

'.Altho I have described and shown a preferred form of my invention, I realize that it may be susceptible of many alterations, modications, and improvements, and I reserve the right to all such alterations, modications and improvements which may come within the scope or spirit of my invention, and within the purview of the foregoing description; my invention being limited only by the prior art and to the subjoined claims.

Having thus described and revealed my invention what I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent is;

1. In a truck structure, a frame construction comprising, a handle bar member secured to a central post member having an arcuately shaped lower portion secured to an arcuately shaped cradle member, the said cradle member provided with frictional load holding means smaller in length than the radius of the wheels of the said truck structure, the vsaid frame construction adapted to assume an approximately vertical resting position.

2. In a truck structure, extensible and retractable toe means secured to the base portion of the said truck structure, spring means adapted to retain the said toe means, normally, in inoperative position, and spring urged trip means adapted to hold releasably the said toe means in operative engagement.

3. In a truck structure, the combination of grapple hook means provided with U shaped engagement means, and grapple hook anchoring means comprising, a multiple number of stud members provided with reduced shank portions, the said stud members having shoulder portions cut at an angle to the axis of the said stud members, a connecting strap member secured adjacent to said angularv shoulder portions, and washer members secured to the top end portions of the shank portions of the said stud members.

4. In a truck structure, extensible and retractable toe means comprising, bearing means secured to said truck structure, toe members slidably mounted therein, spring means, normally, urging the said toe members in inoperativel position, trip means secured to said bearing means comprising, latch members pivotally connected .to the said bearing means and provided with knife edged portions engaging notched portions on the said toe members, spring means holding the said trip means in operative position and adapted to release the said toe members when the said trip means is actuated.

CARL A. IBEEBOUT. 

